Bernard Sévigny has won the Richmond riding for the Parti Québécois, returning to elected politics after eight years as mayor of Sherbrooke.
Sévigny received 12,701 votes, or 29.19 per cent of the ballots cast, in the Quebec election held on October 5, 2026, according to the official results.
He finished ahead of Conservative Party of Quebec candidate Dominic Bouffard, who received 9,964 votes, while Liberal candidate Hugo Fontaine finished with 9,907 votes.
The result gives Sévigny a seat in the National Assembly as the Parti Québécois forms a minority government after the provincial election.
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Bernard Sévigny returns to public office
Bernard Sévigny previously served as Sherbrooke’s mayor from 2009 to 2017 and later chaired the Union des municipalités du Québec from 2016 to 2017.
The Parti Québécois presented him as a candidate with experience in municipal administration and regional development, including doctoral studies focused on local and regional development. His candidate profile outlines that background.
His candidacy marked a return to partisan politics after years in municipal leadership and public-policy work.
Sévigny has openly supported Quebec sovereignty and campaigned on the view that Quebec should assume greater responsibility for its political and economic future.
A fragmented result in Richmond
The Richmond result was shaped by a closely divided five-party contest.
Bouffard placed second with 23.0 per cent, followed closely by Fontaine with 22.8 per cent.
Coalition avenir Québec candidate Guillaume Rousseau received 13.4 per cent, while Québec solidaire candidate David Poulin-Latulippe also received 13.4 per cent.
The outcome represented a significant change from the previous political balance in the riding, where the CAQ’s André Bachand won the 2022 election with 46.8 per cent of the vote on the former electoral map.
Richmond’s boundaries were revised for the 2026 election, meaning direct comparisons with earlier results must be made cautiously.
Possible cabinet role remains undecided
Sévigny’s election has also raised questions about whether he could join the Quebec cabinet.
In an interview after the vote, he said he was prepared to serve in whatever role Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon assigned to him, while emphasizing that no ministerial position had been guaranteed.
He also said the minority-government context would require cooperation with opposition parties and broader parliamentary consensus.
“In politics, proposals are made and voters decide,” Sévigny said while discussing the need to work with opposition members on legislation and government decisions.
Any cabinet appointment will depend on the premier’s decisions as the new government organizes its ministries and parliamentary team.
What comes next for Richmond
Sévigny now faces the transition from campaigning to representing a riding that includes communities in the Estrie region such as Richmond, Windsor, Stoke and surrounding municipalities.
During the campaign, he emphasized proximity to voters and said his municipal experience would help him work on local files.
Among the issues discussed during the campaign were regional development, infrastructure, public services and the future of local institutions.
His immediate responsibilities will include taking part in the opening of the new legislature, meeting constituents and helping advance the Parti Québécois government’s legislative program.
The minority result also means that the government will need support, cooperation or abstentions from opposition members to pass measures in the National Assembly.
For Sévigny, the victory completes a political return that began with his decision to seek the Parti Québécois nomination in Richmond earlier in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bernard Sévigny?
Bernard Sévigny is a Quebec politician and former mayor of Sherbrooke, where he served from 2009 to 2017.
Did Bernard Sévigny win the Richmond riding?
Yes. He was elected for the Parti Québécois in Richmond on October 5, 2026, with 29.19 per cent of the vote.
Who did Bernard Sévigny defeat in Richmond?
He finished ahead of Conservative candidate Dominic Bouffard and Liberal candidate Hugo Fontaine.
Could Bernard Sévigny become a Quebec cabinet minister?
A cabinet appointment is possible, but no ministerial position had been confirmed as of October 7, 2026.
What does Sévigny’s election mean for Richmond?
Residents will be represented by a new Parti Québécois member in a minority-government legislature, where cooperation with opposition parties will be important.
Fact-Checked: Key election results, Sévigny’s political background and the status of a possible cabinet appointment were checked against Elections Québec and official Parti Québécois information, with current local reporting used for the post-election update.
Disclaimer: Cabinet assignments and other parliamentary responsibilities may change as the new Quebec government completes its transition.